Apple Store in Santa Rosa Relocates, California Retail Updates Continue
2026/01/16 12:02:10
Apple is reshuffling its retail presence in California, with the Santa Rosa store moving to a new location adn ongoing renovations at stores in Carlsbad and Costa Mesa. The shift in Santa Rosa, from the Santa Rosa Plaza shopping mall to the open-air Montgomery Village, marks a strategic move for the tech giant as it adapts to evolving consumer preferences and retail landscapes.
Santa Rosa Store Moves to Montgomery Village
After nearly two decades at the Santa Rosa Plaza, Apple’s retail store is relocating to Montgomery Village later this month. The new store will officially open its doors on Friday, January 23rd, at 12:00 PM local time. The original Santa Rosa Plaza location opened in 2004, serving the community for over 20 years. This move suggests Apple is prioritizing locations that offer a more accessible and inviting shopping experience, possibly benefiting from the open-air format of Montgomery Village.
Ongoing Renovations in Southern California
The changes aren’t limited to Santa Rosa. Apple is actively updating its stores further south in California. Renovations are underway at the Carlsbad location, north of San Diego, with a temporary store currently operating at 1925 Calle Barcelona to maintain service for customers. Similarly, the South Coast Plaza store in Costa Mesa is undergoing renovations, and Apple is serving customers from a temporary location within the mall. These renovations indicate Apple’s commitment to modernizing its retail spaces and enhancing the customer experience.
Broader Apple News: Upcoming Product Launches and Software Updates
Beyond the retail changes, several other notable developments are on the horizon for Apple.The company is expected to launch four new MacBook models in 2026, catering to both budget-conscious students and users demanding high-end specifications [1]. This diverse lineup demonstrates Apple’s strategy to capture a wider market share.
iPhone enthusiasts have reasons to be excited as well. Rumors surrounding the iPhone 18 Pro suggest a host of compelling features, making it a potentially worthwhile upgrade for current iPhone users [2].
Siri Gets a Major Upgrade with Google Gemini
Perhaps the most significant software news is Apple’s confirmation that the next generation of Siri will be powered by Google’s Gemini technology [3]. This collaboration marks a significant shift in Apple’s approach to artificial intelligence, leveraging Google’s expertise in the field. Apple stated that Google’s technology provides “the most capable foundation for Apple Foundation Models” and will unlock “innovative new experiences” for users. However, this partnership has drawn criticism from Elon Musk, who expressed concerns about the concentration of power within Google [4].
iOS 26.3 and Beyond
On the software front, Apple is currently testing iOS 26.3, with the second beta released recently [5]. while details are still emerging, the update is expected to include new features and improvements for iPhone users. Moreover, Apple and Google are expanding their collaboration beyond siri, with Gemini technology set to power a range of future Apple intelligence features [6].
New Emoji on the Horizon
For those who enjoy adding a bit of personality to their messages,the Unicode Consortium has proposed 19 new emoji candidates for Emoji 18.0, including a squinting face, pickle, and lighthouse [7]. These additions, expected to be finalized in September 2026, will offer users even more ways to express themselves digitally.
Apple is also preparing to release iOS 26.2.1, an interim update likely addressing bug fixes and performance improvements [8].
Key Takeaways
- Apple is relocating its Santa Rosa store to Montgomery Village, opening January 23rd.
- Renovations are ongoing at Apple Stores in Carlsbad and Costa Mesa.
- Four new MacBook models are expected to launch in 2026.
- The next generation of Siri will be powered by Google’s Gemini AI.
- iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.2.1 are currently in development.
- New emoji are coming to iOS in 2026.
